Roach to Pacquiao: Don’t take Shane lightly

By Dennis Gasgonia, abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA, Philippines – The biggest mistake Manny Pacquiao can commit against “Sugar” Shane Mosley is to underestimate the former world champion.

This is why Pacquiao’s boxing trainer, Freddie Roach, keeps convincing his fighter not to take Mosley, a 5-time world champion, lightly.

“I just need to get Manny to stop listening to those people who see that this will be an easy fight. That's the worst thing in the world that they could tell him,” Roach told 8 Countnews.com's Brad Cooney.

The boxing trainer, who molded the Filipino champion from a one-dimensional boxer to a complete fighter, said there’s no easy fight at Pacquiao’s level.

“You're the best fighter in the world. If Shane wins against Manny, those last two fights will go away,” said Roach, referring to Mosley’s previous fights.

Last May, Mosley shocked the undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. with two vicious shots to the head in the second round of their welterweight fight.

Mayweather, however, battled on in the remaining rounds to beat him by points.

Four months later, Mosley fought Sergio Mora, the first champion of NBC’s boxing reality show “The Contender.” The fight ended in a controversial split draw.

Roach said Mosley could hurt Pacquiao, like what he did against Mayweather, which is why the trainer said the Filipino needs to be in tip-top shape for their May 7 fight.

“We need to be ready for something like that. We're not going to underestimate him [Mosley], we're gonna be in great shape, we expect him to be in his best,” said Roach.

The boxing coach said that just like Pacquiao, Mosley has speed and power. He added that “Sugar” is a much better boxer than Antonio Margarito.

“Mosley actually is the better puncher and quicker, of course… this is the first guy Manny's gonna fight that has fast hands, he throws a little bit angle. We should come up with a better game plan, beating him to the punch,” said Roach.